BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to security structures for retaining items, specifically in a retail environment. The security structure is described particularly in relation to securing bottles such as bottles for wine with respect to a support for retail purposes and is beneficial in limiting theft. However, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the structure can be utilised for alternative items and in an alternative security setting.

SUMMARY

Disclosed in some forms is a security structure for securing at least one item such as, for example, a wine bottle or other item of retail value. The security

structure can also be utilised to secure other items. The security structure comprises at least one support for supporting the item and at least one retainer. The retainer comprises a retaining portion adapted to engage the item and a locating shaft extending from the retaining portion and adapted to engage the support. The retainer is slidable with respect to the support to adopt a

retaining position in which the item is securely retained by the security structure.

In some forms the item has a body and a neck and the retainers comprise a body retainer for retaining the body with respect to the support and a neck retainer for retaining the neck with respect to the support.

In some forms the neck retainer comprises a loop and a locating shaft adapted to engage the support, the neck retainer being slideable with respect to the support to adopt a retaining position in which the item is retained by the security structure. In another aspect, disclosed is a security structure for securing bottles having a body and a neck in a retail environment, the security structure comprising a support for supporting the body of the bottle; a body retainer for retaining the body with respect to the support; a neck retainer for retaining the neck of the bottle with respect to the support, at least one of the body retainer and the neck retainer being moveable to adopt an open position, the body retainer and the neck retainers being configured such that the bottle cannot be moved with respect to the support unless one retainer is in an open position.

The security structure allows for display and

retention of items such as bottles of wine in a secure environment. In some forms it alios automation of

unlocking the retainer. In some forms, it allows for unlocking of an array of retainers and movement of a single retainer with respect to the support. In some forms it allows one handed operation of the security structure allowing a user to unlock the security structure, move the retainer into an open position rather than the retaining position with a single hand and remove the item with the other hand.

In some forms the retainers include a locating shaft and the security structure further includes at least one locking member associated with the security structure and having an opening extending therethrough. The opening is adapted to engage the locating shaft in use. The locking member is movable angularly with respect to the locating shaft. Angular displacement of the locking member with respect to the locating shaft effects locking of the locating shaft with respect to the support thereby

securing the retainer in the retaining position.

The angular movement of the locking member is in some forms effected automatically, for example by movement of a cam which acts upon the locking member to angularly displace the locking member with respect to the locating shaft and the security structure.

In some forms the locking member is in the form of gate with a centrally located opening for engaging the locating shaft.

In some forms the security structure comprises a plurality of supports and retainers for securing a

plurality of items such as in a rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The embodiments will now be described in view of the Figures, in which,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the security structure of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the

embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a back view of a portion of a security structure of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the embodiment of Figure

1;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows an exploded view of a second

embodiment of a security structure of the disclosure;

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the security structure of Figure 7 ;

Figure 9 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the security structure of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosure in an open state;

Figure 11 shows a rear view of the internal structure of a third embodiment of the security structure of the disclosure . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed in some forms is a security structure for securing at least one item, the security structure

comprising: a support for supporting the item, at least two retainers for retaining the item with respect to the support, at least one of the retainers being moveable to adopt an open configuration in which the item is able to be removed from the support. The security structure allows for an item to be secured with respect to a support and unlocked for purchase or access .

In some forms the support comprises a cradle. The cradle is adapted for supporting the body of an item such as, for example, the body of a bottle.

In some forms the item has a body and a neck and the retainers comprise a body retainer for retaining the body with respect to the support and a neck retainer for retaining the neck with respect to the support.

In some forms the neck retainer comprises a loop extending around the neck of the item. In some forms the body retainer extends around a portion of the body of the item. In some forms the neck retainer comprises a loop and a locating shaft adapted to engage the support, the locating shaft being slideable with respect to the support to adopt a retaining position in which the item is retained by the security structure. Movement of the locating shaft with respect to the support results in movement of the loop such that the loop moves into an open position in which the loop is located distal the support and the item can be removed from the support, and a closed position in which the loop is located proximal the support and the item is retained with respect to the support.

In some forms the structure further comprises a locking member associated with the support and adapted to lock at least one retainer with respect to the support.

In some forms the locking member is moveable angularly with respect to the locating shaft such that the angular displacement of the locking member with respect to the locating shaft effects locking of the locating shaft with respect to the support, securing the neck retainer in a retaining position.

In some forms the angular displacement of the locking member effects angular displacement of the opening which locks the locating shaft in position with respect to the support .

In some forms the locking member is automated to move angularly with respect to the locating shaft. In some forms the locking member is angularly moveable by action of a cam. Use of a cam for movement of the locking members allows for a plurality of locking members to move simultaneously, locking and unlocking a plurality of retainers

simultaneously and leaving each retainer free to move until the locking members are moved into their locking configuration again.

In some forms the structure comprises a plurality of supports and retainers for securing a plurality of items. In some forms the locking system is configured to lock each of the moveable retainers with respect to the

support .

In some forms a group of retainers are unlocked

simultaneously.

In some forms each retainer can be moved individually upon unlocking . In some forms the item comprises a bottle.

In some forms the support is designed to allow the item to be displayed in a state in which labelling on the item is visible .

In some forms one retainer extends around a body of the item and another is located adjacent a top surface of the item to maintain the item with respect to the support. In another aspect, disclosed is a security structure for securing at least one item, the security structure

comprising a support for supporting the item; at least two retainers for retaining the item with respect to the support in three dimensions; at least one of the retainers being moveable to adopt an open configuration in which the item is able to be removed from the support.

In some forms the security structure comprises a support and three retainers, each retainer configured to prevent movement in at least one dimension.

In a further aspect, disclosed is a security structure for securing bottles having a body and a neck in a retail environment, the security structure comprising a support for supporting the body of the bottle; a body retainer for retaining the body with respect to the support; a neck retainer for retaining the neck of the bottle with respect to the support, at least one of the body retainer and the neck retainer being moveable to adopt an open position, the body retainer and the neck retainers being configured such that the bottle cannot be moved with respect to the support unless one retainer is in an open position. In some forms the neck retainer comprises an engagement portion to engage the neck of the bottle and a shaft, the shaft being adapted to engage with the support to retain the bottle with respect to the support. In some forms the support includes an aperture extending into the support for receiving the shaft. In some forms the support includes a lock for locking the shaft within the aperture.

In some forms the structure comprises a plurality of retainers and wherein the lock is configured for locking each of the plurality of retainers with respect to the support .

The security structure allows for multiple items to be secured with respect to the security structure such that opportunities for theft are limited. The security

structure allows for automation of the locking and

unlocking of a retainer to secure the item with respect to the security structure. This allows for one handed operation giving the user freedom to use the other hand to procure the item for a customer.

In some forms the security structure is associated with a thumb print reader allowing for a user to operate the locking structure without requiring procurement of a swipe tag or RFID.

Referring to Figure 1, disclosed is a security structure 1 for securing items to such as in this case wine bottles with respect to the security structure 1. The security structure comprises a support 3 adapted to support the item in relation to the security structure 1. In the illustrated form the support is in the form of a curved holder having a cradle body 4, a rear wall 5 and a securing bracket 6. The shape of the support is designed to hold the item while limiting or eliminating the ability of a user to remove the item in the direction of the rear wall . The security structure 1 further includes a retainer 7 which is adapted to be associated with the security structure 1 and to engage the item 2. In the illustrated form, the retainer 7 comprises a retaining portion 8 which comprises, in the illustrated form, a ring adapted to fit over the neck of a bottle. It will be clear that

alternative retaining portions will suit alternative items. For example a dish or planar retaining portion could be utilised to retain other items.

The retainer 7 further includes a locating shaft 9 extending from the retaining portion 8. In the

illustrated form the locating shaft includes a bend to allow the locating shaft to extend from the retaining portion and be directed longitudinally with respect to the item 2 and then engage the neck of the bottle at the retaining portion 8.

The security structure further includes a support body 12 which supports the support and incorporates the engagement of the locating shaft 9.

The locating shaft 9 is slideable with respect to the support body 12 to allow movement of the locating shaft into an open configuration to allow removal of the bottle in the direction of the retaining portion.

As is seen in Figure 1, the security structure allows for display of products in a position in which the

labelling is easily visible. The retaining structures are largely located at the rear to allow for best visibility. The structure also includes space for positioning of pricing and other labelling. The structure can be utilised with a plurality of supports and retainers to allow for a plurality of items to be secured. However it will be clear that the security structure could be utilised to secure only a single item.

Referring to Figure 2, the security structure 1 has a support body 12 which incorporates a body opening 14 to allow the locating shaft 9 to extend into the support body and be supported by the support body in relation to the security structure and the item 2. The locating shaft 9 is moveable in the body opening 14 to move the shaft in a longitudinal direction to allow for release of the

retaining portion 8 from the bottle neck.

Referring to Figure 3 the illustrated form includes a dimple recess 15 which can be utilised to secure the item. It will be clear that the shape of the rear wall 5 can be varied for different shaped items.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the retainer 7 is movable with respect to the security structure 1 to secure the items with respect to the security structure and to allow for securing differently sized items.

Different sized retainers 7 can be utilised for different sized bottles. Moreover in not illustrated forms the retaining portion 8 could comprise a flat plate to retain an item of a different shape.

The structure is moveable between a day position as illustrated in Fig. 1 and a night position as illustrated in Fig. 2 in which the bottles are laid horizontally. Referring to Figure 7, disclosed is a second

embodiment of a security structure. In this embodiment the security structure 1 includes a plurality of supports 3 aligned on a support body 12. The supports 3 include a cradle body 4, a rear wall 5 and a securing bracket 6.

The support body 12 further includes a plurality of body openings 14 which extend into the support body and are adapted to engage the locating shaft 9 of the

retainers 7 with respect to the security structure.

The retainers include a locating shaft 9 which extends from the retaining portion 8 and bends to extend parallel to the bottle and into the support body 12. The locating shaft in use extends through the body openings 14 to engage the security structure. As shown in the exploded view the support body 12 includes an internal cam 18 which extends the length of the security structure and is adapted to engage a

plurality of locking members 19 in the form of hinged gates having an internal opening 20. Movement of the locking members 19 is effected by movement of the cam 18 longitudinally to move the plurality of locking members 19 with respect to the security structure 1.

As best shown in Figure 9, the locating shaft 9 extends through the body opening 14 into the support body 12 to be supported by a shaft support 21. The locating shaft 9 extends through the opening 20 in the locking member 19 to extend through the shaft support 21. In use, movement of the cam 18 effects movement of the locking member 19 angularly with respect to the support body 12 and the locating shaft 9. Movement of the locking member 19 effects angular displacement of that locking member 19 with respect to the locating shaft. The change in angular displacement of the locking member locks the locating shaft with respect to the support body 12.

As best seen in Figure 9 the openings in the

illustrated form are square however it will be understood that alternative opening shapes are available while still having the effect of allowing angular displacement of the locking member to lock the locating shaft in the security structure. In the illustrated form the locating shaft 9 has a square cross-sectional shape allowing it to be inserted into the opening 20 and ensuring that angular displacement of the opening 20 effects locking of the locating shaft 9 with respect to the security structure. The locking member 19 is hinged with respect to the security structure 1 by a hinge pin 22 extending through the locking member 19 and into the support body 12. As best shown in Figure 10, the security structure is openable to tip the supports 3 to allow access to the inner workings . The retainer 7 extends through the body opening 14 and into the shaft support 21 through the opening 20 in locking member 19.

As best shown in Figure 11, the cam 18 is operated by a drive 25 located in the support body 12. The drive 25 acts to longitudinally move the cam to effect angular displacement of the plurality of locking members 19 with respect to the support body 12 and the locating shaft which is not shown in this embodiment.

Further as shown in Figure 11, the action of the drive is controlled electronically. In some forms this control is effected through a thumb print reader allowing unlocking of the security structure when the thumb print reader detects a registered user. This allows for a user to utilise the thumb print technology to unlock the security structure, move the retainer 7 with respect to the item and remove the item 2 from the security structure for sale or other purposes. The automated locking

structure unlocks the retainers from their locked position with respect to the support body 12 for a defined period of time to allow for movement of the retainer, removal of the bottle or other item.

As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, disclosed is a security structure 1 having a support body 12 having rear walls 5 and securing brackets 6 to support items and a plurality of retainers 7 for retaining the items with respect to the support. The system is moveable between a day position in which the items are angled with respect to the horizontal such that the labelling is easily viewed and such that the bottle can be removed upwardly from the system with the retainers 7 are unlocked and moved into an open position. The system is moveable to a night position in which the items are stored horizontally to protect the cork in a situation where there is a cork. In the illustrated form, levers 31 are positioned at either end of the structure to allow a user to move the structure into the night or day position. In some not illustrated embodiments a single centrally located lever or a single lever in general can be utilised for this.

The structure includes a manual lock 32 for

circumstances where an electronic lock is not useable.

While the disclosure speaks of a locking system including an angularly moveable aperture that engages a locating shaft in one position and allows for movement of the locating shaft in a second position, alternative locking systems are available such as magnetised locking systems, locking systems that include a protrusion or shoulder that is moveable into engagement with the

locating shaft or locking systems that include apertures moveable to engage a protrusion extending from the

locating shaft.

In some forms the locking system is automatically unlockable and is set up to automatically return to a locked state after a period of time.

While the disclosure speaks of items including wine bottles in a retail setting, it will be clear that alternative items and alternative settings may be utilised in line with the disclosure of the application.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art

publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.